I come from the lightning capital of the World, Pinellas Country Florida, where the statistical chances of getting struck by lightning are far better than they are for winning the lottery, or maybe even the perfecta at the local horse track. (Maybe this explains my magnetic personality?)
Despite that background, I was impressed last night at the power of the storm—apparently so was UTE, the state-owned power company.
According to published reports, a lightning bolt struck the major north-south power supply line at about 22.00 local time last night, and turned off the power to most of the southern half of the country including all of Montevideo. Power was restored in as little as 45 minutes in some places to about 90 minutes here in Montevideo.
Considering we don’t have hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, or tornados, I guess a little lightning—or even a lot of lightning is ok, unless you happen to beat the lottery…
Actually Montevideo, and other coastal areas of Uruguay are subject to hurricane like storms that come across the Atlantic from Africa. In August 2005, or there abouts, a serious wind storm tore through Carrasco knocking down hundreds of trees, doing damage to buildings, and one or more persons died. Other areas of the city were less impacted. I do not know the Spanish name for these storms. Last February (2006) while I was in Montevideo another storm blew through the city with winds clocked nearing 70 mph. Persons were advised not to leave their homes. It resembled a hurricane in that it struck twice - about three hours between the serious winds. My windows were shaking and the rain was tremendous. Dan Goggin
Left by dangog on November 16th, 2006
Not so bad for what people would assume is a “third world” country.
Here in the US I live in an area that has quite a few serious storms per year as well as tornadoes.
The last “microburst” in the area knocked out power here for 7 days! We also usually have at least one ice storm per winter where the sheer weight of the ice brings down some wires.
Also, I thought Uruguay was subject to the occasional tornado?
Left by Seasons on November 17th, 2006